Phillips Welcome Center

The facility, located in the lobby of the Garvey Center, is OC’s “front door.” It serves as a beginning point for campus guests – including future students and parents touring the university.

(Click here to see a campus map with directions to the Phillips Welcome Center)

Made possible by a gift from Oklahoma City philanthropist Jose Freede, the venue also houses OC’s Office of Events and Campus Coordination.

During more than three decades at Oklahoma Christian, Lou Phillips was a longtime executive assistant and later served as coordinator of special projects.

She worked closely with five OC presidents – J. Terry Johnson, Kevin Jacobs, Alfred Branch, Mike O’Neal and John deSteiguer – and also served on the board of the Oklahoma Christian Women’s Association until her passing in January 2013.

In 1992, Phillips was the official hostess for President George H.W. Bush’s official campaign visit to Oklahoma Christian. She also helped coordinate George W. Bush’s 1990 visit to Oklahoma Christian on “University Day.” After Phillips’ passing, George W. Bush sent a personal letter of condolences to her family.

President deSteiguer said, “Lou Phillips was such a dear friend to so many of us. She was known far and wide because she was hospitality ‘capitalized.’ Lou had a way about her to make people feel welcomed, at home and special.”